Digital Rights and Inclusion during the 2023 elections in Zimbabwe
The Importance of Protecting Digital Rights in the 2023 Zimbabwean Elections The 2023 Zimbabwean elections are just around the corner, and with them comes the potential for increased use of digital technologies to facilitate civic participation. However, there are also concerns about the potential for digital rights violations and exclusion. In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile cases of internet shutdowns and digital platform clampdowns in Africa during election periods. These shutdowns have often been used by governments to suppress dissent and prevent the free flow of information. In Zimbabwe, there is a history of government interference in the media and the internet. In 2018, the government shut down the internet for several days ahead of the presidential election. This shutdown was widely condemned by human rights groups, who argued that it violated the right to freedom of expression and access to information. In addition to the risk of internet shut